CM directs officials to devise wheat procurement plan

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur on Thursday directed the officials to devise a detailed wheat procurement plan for the next season and submit the same for the approval of the provincial cabinet.

He issued the directives at the meeting of the provincial Food Department at the Chief Minister’s House.KP Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru, Secretary Food Zareef-ul-Maani and other relevant officials attended the meeting, said a handout.

The chief minister directed the officials to ensure wheat quality as well as transparency in the entire procurement process.“Ensure implementation of the provincial government’s decision to reduce the price of wheat bread (roti),” he said, adding tandoor owners selling roti at the cut price should be provided relief.

He ordered the establishment of model bazaars and food streets at all divisional headquarters of the province so that citizens could buy required items at the rates fixed by the government.Gandapur asked the officials not to compromise on the quality of food items. To ensure quality, he said, the rate of fines should be increased substantially and the classification of hotels and restaurants be carried out to impose fines. He said the fines should be increased by the size of the business.

The chief minister directed the officials concerned to have a vigilant eye on the import of adulterated milk and to increase number of mobile food testing laboratories adding that products of the factories producing defective food items should be tested by a certified laboratory.

He ordered all the relevant departments to install CCTV cameras on their checkposts, adding that the Finance Department would provide the required funds for this purpose.Earlier, the chief minister was given a detailed presentation about the mandate of the department, its administrative affairs, procurement and supply of wheat, available wheat stock and different matters related to Food Safety and Halal Food Authority.